Math 426 - Introduction to Mathematical Software Packages: Matlab
Fall 2000 - Matthias K. Gobbert
Section 0101 - Schedule Number 3238
This page can be reached via my homepage at
http://www.math.umbc.edu/~gobbert.
Grading Information
Scores and grades ordered by the last four digits of your student number:
scores and grades.
Information for Download
Instructions: Open the data file by clicking on the link; columns of numbers
should appear in your browser window. Then use the ``File - Save As''
functionality of your browser to save the data to a file.
Basic Information
- Matthias K. Gobbert,
Math/Psyc 416, (410) 455-2404, gobbert@math.umbc.edu,
office hours: MW 05:00-06:00 p.m. or by appointment
- Times and location:
MW 07:00-09:00 p.m., ECS 104A (SGI instructional computer lab).
The class will meet for four hours per week for half of
the semester (from September 06 to October 25, 2000),
thus it will count 2 credits.
- Prerequisites: Math 152, Math 221, CMSC 104, or instructor approval.
- Textbook:
Stephen J. Chapman, MATLABŪ Programming for Engineers,
Brooks/Cole, 2000.
- Grading policy:
Homework
| Midterm exam
| Final exam
|
40%
| 30%
| 30%
|
The homework is weighted so heavily, because it includes the
computer assignments that are vital to understanding the course material.
See the syllabus for dates of the exams.
See the general policies and procedures for more information.
Overview
Matlab is a professional software package designed to implement mathematical
ideas on a high level. It is widely used in industrial companies, government
agencies, and educational institutions for rapid prototyping and teaching.
Its main popularity roots in its intuitive interactive interface combined
with reliable numerical algorithms and professional graphics capabilities.
This class is designed to provide a thorough introduction to programming
and the use of high-level software packages using the example of Matlab.
We will start by introducing basic data structures and programming elements.
A brief introduction to the UNIX environment will be included here.
Then we will work our way up to higher-level programming structures and
discuss their use in mathematics and mathematical applications. This
will include the use of important routines for finding polynomial roots,
eigenvalues of matrices, and effective two- and three-dimensional graphics.
Additionally, we will discuss selected features from the symbolic toolbox.
The class meetings will typically be divided into a lecture followed by
supervised lab work. Active participation is vital to learning the material.
Assignments will come in three flavors in this class:
- Problems will be assigned in the lab portion of the lecture to be
completed immediately under supervision.
- Some review problems will be assigned each lecture, to be completed
by the next lecture; this review always includes all quizzes
posed in the textbook, whose solutions are given in the back of the text.
- More extensive problems will be assigned typically over a weekend,
which must be turned in with complete documentation; see the
general policies and procedures for more information.
To facilitate the classroom environment of a lab, you are expected to read
the appropriate sections of the textbook before each lecture. All
quizzes in the covered sections are automatically assigned and have to be
turned in along with the homework. As the solutions are given in the back
of the textbook, they do not carry any credit.
Other Information
Copyright © 2000 by Matthias K. Gobbert. All Rights Reserved.
This page version 2.4, October 2000.